Christmas Gift Guide!!!
2024 edition
I love giving presents. There are few better feelings than watching someone I adore unwrap a gift I’ve carefully chosen and squeal that it was something they’ve been wanting, or - maybe even better - something perfect that they didn’t know they wanted. Last year I recommended some of my favourite little treats and some books-and-chocolate pairings. This year, I’m going for three themes of presents, which I think will suit most of my shopping list - and hopefully yours too: personalised pressies, absurd quantities, and cosy things. (And then a little bonus for small people).
This is a long, full-of-links, email which might get cut-off by some email providers - I can recommend downloading the Substack App, which puts all your Substack newsletters in one place. I use it myself and really enjoy it.
Alternatively, you can read on my Substack webpage; Substack is the service I use to send out these emails; think of it as a blogging platform hosting my one-woman magazine.
Personalised pressies
The ultimate present for those people who have everything is, I think, something that’s personalised just for them.
First off - customised Ordnance Survey maps. You can get either a standard size (100cm x 89cm) map, like the standard OS maps you’d buy in a shop, or a little A3 size paper map, each centred on a spot of your choice, and with a custom photo and title on the front. The best bit: those A3 size maps are only £7.99, and there’s currently 15% off all personalised maps!
Second, a personalised t-shirt, hoodie, or tote bag just for your recipient. I use Rapanui for all my personalised printing needs, because I love their ethics as a company. They’re based on the Isle of Wight and use organic cotton or their very own Remill fabric made from recycled t-shirts. Best of all, it’s cool to know that their main site in Freshwater is where I used to buy my sausages on holiday (it used to be the Co-Op supermarket) and that my purchases are putting some money into the economy of a place I love.
It’s also just really fun to think up slogans that would be perfect for the people you give presents to. Maybe a family member has a catchphrase that they say constantly… put it on a tote bag!
Absurd quantities
I love to get people either massive-size or massive-quantity version of things they use all the time. Catering suppliers are a great place to get this kind of stuff - maybe someone in your life has a membership to Booker or Costco? Here are some examples:
A box of 69 chocolate biscuits and KitKats*
A sack of 440 teabags from ethical brand Cafédirect
100 Tiny Tony’s mini chocolates
1400g of Haribo Goldbears
300 coffee bags
The thing that makes this a good present is the sheer ridiculousness of the bulk packaging, but - as it’s a consumable - you’re also buying them the joy of not having to worry about running out of tea/ coffee/ whatever for a few months.
Cosy things
When I say ‘cosy’, we all know that I mean ‘book, blanket, and a mug of something warm,’ right? Even better with the knowledge that there’s something bubbling away on the stove or leftovers in the fridge that will be a delicious dinner.
For the Kindle girlies (of all genders!) in your life - here are my top three ways to gussy up your e-reader. Especially useful if you know there’s no point buying someone a paper copy of a book because they’re always curled up with their Kindle (it’s me! Guilty).
BookishCraftShop on Etsy has a range of beautifully made Kindle sleeves - I’ve already ordered one for someone’s present this Christmas!
A PopSocket* (*Ad - Amazon affiliate pink) for the back of the e-reader. It makes it so much easier to hold, whether your loved one is standing up on a busy train or curled up under a blanket.
Finally, stickers to decorate the back of their Kindle! I have this one from SBbookishBoutique on mine. The lovely Kim of Finest Imaginary has some great book trope stickers, and I love Hand Over Your Fairy Cakes’s range of stickers, like this one (I need to get this one for my laptop). And then there are a bunch of sellers on Etsy selling big bundles of stickers: I’ve shopped with PurpleTuesdayCrafts and loved what I got!
Secondly, what’s cosier than wrapping up in a lovely fleece dressing gown? I bought myself a new one from Seasalt Cornwall last autumn and have absolutely lived in it ever since. There are four gorgeous prints, and their fleece is incredibly soft.
And as mentioned, the hot drink is a key component of getting cosy. I absolutely love my Yeti Rambler* mug. I can make a cup of tea, put the lid on, have a nap, and still have a cup of piping hot tea when I wake up. Or alternatively I can have a cup of tea on my desk to continually sip from all day long, or sitting out next to me when it’s a bit chilly. Plus the mug is dishwasher-friendly, which is pretty rare for insulated mugs and bottles.
Lastly: the soup maker. This was the best present I received for Christmas last year - I can chuck a bunch of roughly chopped veg, a stock cube, and some water in there, switch it on, and half an hour later I have a few meals’ worth of homemade soup. Truly wonderful; it’s kind of like a kettle and a blender mixed together.
Bonus: for Small People in your life
It is such a joy to see people in my life bringing children into the world. As well as the fact that their kids are so darned cute, it also gives me an excuse to buy Duplo and kids’ books… here are some of my favourites:
Tipper truck and digger* (or, in Lego speak, ‘Truck & Tracked excavator). I know so many kids are fascinated by building sites!
Space Shuttle adventure!* I have this boxed up in my flat ready to go to a the daughters of one of my school friends.
Recycling truck* - again, the joy of filling up a truck, and sorting things then messing them up again. Delightful!
Look Up!* by Nathan Bryon, illustrated by Dapo Adeola
The Mog Treasury* by Judith Kerr. You’re never too young for classic literature. (And there’s a stuffed toy* to go with it!)
Ned by Selina Young. It’s very much out of print but a real favourite of mine and I’ve bought a fair few second-hand copies to send to friends. (I have a real green cloth Ned stuffed donkey who still lives in my bed now I’m 30…).
Another book-and-toy combination: Broccoli’s Big Day* by Mike Henson and Sandra de la Prada, and a Jellycat Broccoli to go with it.
If you want more goodies for your nearest and dearest (or for that person you need to get a present for because of Reasons), do check out
’s huge gift guide over on her Substack:
Please do let me know in the comments if there’s anyone else you’re looking to buy for - I’ll do another post specifically about books between now and December.
Speak soon,
Lily
Didn’t know about the maps so that’s my husband sorted, thank you! Already had the yeti on my list, might be a self gift in lieu of advent calendar situation next week.
The way I am obsessed with my Yeti Rambler…. It works SO well!